Tell Trump: Keep the Elephant Trophy Hunting Import Ban in Place!

Last week,the trophy hunting organization, Safari Club International, triumphantly announced that the U.S. Department of the Interior was planning to reverse the ban on elephant trophy imports from Zimbabwe and Zambia that the Obama Administration had put in place, clearing the way for US trophy hunters to kill elephants for sport and allowing them to bring their sickening "trophies" back home with them. We can't let this happen!

After an overwhelming public backlash, Donald Trump tweeted that the decision to lift the ban would be put on hold for further review, and that he will make a decision next week. Encouragingly, Trump says he, "Put big game trophy decision on hold until such time as I review all conservation facts. Under study for years. Will update soon with Secretary Zinke." With this encouraging sign, there is a small window of opportunity for elephants, and we must act immediately!

In the same week, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke announced the creation of an "International Wildlife Conservation Council" to promote the "economic benefits"of trophy hunting. This Council would also review and attempt to reverse Endangered Species status for at risk animal populations.

Trophy hunting is not conservation! Enabling rich trophy hunters to shoot elephants for pleasure and sport causes irreparable fracturing of elephant societies and selfishly undermines the global effort to stop the illegal ivory trade. Trophy hunters target older bulls with large tusks, claiming that these bulls reproductive years are over, but science continues to show us that older bulls are in fact the primary breeders in the wild, passing on powerful genetic profiles of longevity and vitality to their offspring. Older bulls also teach young bulls, by example, how to grow and integrate into mature bull elephant culture. There is simply no justification for murdering elephants for pleasure and sport!

Tell Trump and his Secretary of the Interior, Ryan Zinke, that any reversal of animal protections from trophy hunters is indefensible!

1) Tweet to @realDonaldTrump and let him know you want him to uphold the ban on elephant trophy imports!

2) Make calls to Secretary of the Interior, Ryan Zinke at (202) 208-7351 and leave a message with his Executive Secretary.

You can say:

I am horrified that the Department of the Interior is attacking trophy hunting protections. I want you to protect elephants and other wild animals from trophy hunters by keeping the elephant trophy ban in place, and scrapping the pro-trophy hunting International Wildlife Conservation Council.

3) If you haven't already done so, sign our previous alert to stop the government forming a pro-trophy hunting council.